The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday accused the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of working together to politically target Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, alleging that the opposition parties were unable to counter the AAP government’s performance in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, AAP Punjab media officer Baltej Pannu said the Congress has become “directionless” and is busy with internal power struggles instead of focusing on Punjab issues. He claimed that the Congress, BJP and Akali Dal had effectively formed ‘Team A, B and C’ with the sole aim of attacking Bhagwant Mann.
“The opposition parties have no roadmap, no vision and no agenda for Punjab. Their only agenda is Bhagwant Singh Mann because they cannot comprehend the work being done by the AAP government,” Pannu said.
He alleged that the BJP and Congress were working in coordination in Punjab, pointing out that Congress leaders commented on BJP affairs and BJP leaders spoke about Congress policies. In a swipe at the BJP, Pannu said the party in Punjab had effectively become “another wing of the Congress”, claiming that many of its prominent leaders were originally from the Congress.
Pannu also referred to the recent meeting between Congress leader Sujinder Singh Randhawa and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying that despite the clarifications given by Congress leaders, the political significance of the meeting was clear.
Congress attack on Mann intensifies amid Akal Takht controversy
The AAP leader’s remarks came amid a sharp escalation in the Punjab Congress’ attack on CM Mann over the alleged objectionable viral video controversy.
According to news agency PTI, Punjab Congress leaders recently called for a social boycott of Mann and demanded his resignation as well as registering an FIR against him under the Anti-Sacrilege Act. Congress leaders claimed that the controversy hurt Sikh sentiments and challenged the authority of Akal Takht.
Senior Congress leaders, including Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Waring, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, former deputy chief minister Sujinder Singh Randhawa, MLA Sukhpal Khera and MLA Parjat Singh, addressed a joint press conference demanding action against Mann.
Congress leaders urged people to observe the social boycott of the Prime Minister in line with the Akal Takht ordinance announced by Guru Dukhi and Khalsa Panth Virudi over the alleged video controversy, PTI reported.
Former Prime Minister Charanjit Singh Channi reportedly said that every Sikh is obligated to follow the directions of the Akal Takht and Mans District, while Raja Waring demanded that the Prime Minister present himself before the Akal Takht and seek forgiveness.
Congress also called for an investigation into the allegations surrounding an alleged “fake forensic report” linked to the controversy. According to PTI, Haryana Police recently arrested two people after registering a case related to the purchase of a fabricated forensic report linked to the viral controversy over the video.
AAP highlights welfare measures and accuses opposition of hypocrisy
Responding to the Opposition’s attacks, Baltej Pannu highlighted the welfare measures taken by the AAP government and claimed that the Mann government provided benefits that previous governments had failed to provide for decades.
He said that canal water has reached peripheral villages for the first time in years, while nearly 90 per cent of households in Punjab are not receiving electricity bills due to the government’s 600-unit free scheme.
Pannu also claimed that farmers were receiving uninterrupted electricity and canal water during the day, while over 34 lakh women have already started receiving the financial assistance promised by the AAP government. According to him, the remaining eligible beneficiaries will start receiving payments from August 1.
He also accused the Congress of hypocrisy, saying the party had previously criticized the AAP for claiming that it was controlled from Delhi while it was now completely dependent on the directives of its top leadership.
Bano further claimed that political horse-trading between the Congress and the BJP was already underway in Punjab, and claimed that several Congress leaders were preparing to join the BJP. “The people of Punjab are watching everything and will reject this opportunistic policy,” he said.
(with PTI inputs)
